It's been widely reported and that makes it fact-esque. - Stephen Colbert

Rest in Peace

I got to talk to Buck O'Neil once when he was a guest on Radio Times, the local NPR interview show. I can't remember what I asked him - something about Babe Ruth and homeruns and the McGwire/Sosa pursuit of the Maris record, which was happening that year. I spent a lot of time thinking of a question that didn't make me look like a complete goof. Anyway, I gave my name as Robin from Bucks County. He found that charming.

I wish I could be as gracious as he always was about not being in the Hall of Fame but I can't manage it. He was the first African American coach for Pete's sake. He should be in there . I think that part of his apparent acceptance of continuing to be overlooked came from his deep involvement with the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, which is planning an expansion:

The Buck O'Neil Education and Research Center will be part of an expansion
of the NLBM to be built at the historic Paseo YMCA, the birthplace of the Negro Leagues. The NLBM's goal is to raise $15 million to renovate and expand the Paseo YMCA. The money will fund the construction,
renovation, exhibits and an operating endowment. Incorporating the latest in interactive technology and state-of-the-art research equipment, the expanded NLBM and Buck O'Neil Education and Research
Center will allow visitors, students, researchers and baseball fans to study every aspect of the Negro Leagues.

"Buck is a
one-of-a-kind legend and we will miss him with all of our hearts," said
Mark Bryant, President of the NLBM Board of Directors. "It's
a great comfort to know that his selfless spirit and his tremendous
legacy to baseball will live on, and the staff of the museum and the
Board are committed to extending and enhancing his legacy.
"And, fortunately,"
Bryant said, "Buck prepared us well for this day. He said many times
that to him this new education and research center was his top priority. It will be a great tribute to him for all of his supporters to help us make Buck's dream a reality."

If you want to make a donation, you can do so here:

Tax-deductible contributions can be made through the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum website. Checks can be made out to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and mailed to 1616 E. 18th Street, Kansas City, MO, 64108. In addition, contributions can be made by phone toll-free at 888 221-6526.

Bang for the Buck: Boosting the American Economy

Compassionate Conservatism in Action

Molly

"We are the deciders. And every single day, every single one of us needs to step outside and take some action to help stop this war."

Zinn

"[O]ur time, our energy, should be spent in educating, agitating, organizing our fellow citizens in the workplace, in the neighborhood, in the schools. Our objective should be to build, painstakingly, patiently but energetically, a movement that, when it reaches a certain critical mass, would shake whoever is in the White House, in Congress, into changing national policy on matters of war and social justice."

Bono

"True religion will not let us fall asleep in the comfort of our freedom. Love thy neighbor is not a piece of advice, it's a command. ...

God, my friends, is with the poor and God is with us, if we are with them. This is not a burden, this is an adventure."

The Reverend Al Sharpton

Ray wasn't singing about what he knew, 'cause Ray had been blind since he was a child. He hadn't seen many purple mountains. He hadn't seen many fruited plains. He was singing about what he believed to be.

Mr. President, we love America, not because of all of us have seen the beauty all the time.

But we believed if we kept on working, if we kept on marching, if we kept on voting, if we kept on believing, we would make America beautiful for everybody.

Marx

''With adequate profit, capital is very bold. A certain 10 percent will ensure its employment anywhere; 20 percent will produce eagerness, 50 percent positive audacity; 100 percent will make it ready to trample on all human laws; 300 percent, and there is not a crime which it will not scruple, nor a risk it will not run, even to the chance of its owner being hanged.''